Some big name talent contributed to cover art, too, such as H.R.
Giger (the man who designed the look of Alien) and sci-fi artist Richard Clifton-Dey.
We just dont get work like this on cover art anymore.
First things first: this is not a good game.
Its not even so bad that its good and worth spending a few minutes watching on YouTube.
The actual gameplay has no redeeming qualities.
But pretty much everyone who had an NES back in the late 80s and early 90s played it.
Because of the fantastic box art.
The games cover did look great while it collected dust on your shelf for all eternity.
Its baffling as to why Capcom ever ditched this image for covers just focusing on Leon in later releases.
OK, in part, thats because its not the greatest game.
Certainly its one of Rockstars weaker titles.
But the tone of the game itself is pretty damn disturbing.
Well probably never get a modernShadow Mangame, but at least the original is now readily available on Steam.
Too bad it doesnt come with this awesome box art, though.
Unfortunately, while the cover ofOrkis truly monstrous, it loses points for lack of originality.
Its arguably the most memorable image in the entire franchise, and certainly one of the creepiest.
Capcom is currently working on a remake ofResident Evil 2.
A lot of gamers have high hopes for that title.
Well see if it can also top the box art of the original.
Not only are some of the gravity-defying areas truly awe-inspiring, but the game also featured innovative combat.
InDead Space, its not about going for headshots or filling your enemies full of bullets.
The only way to permanently end them is to dismember them.
So how did EA advertise this?
With a simple disembodied hand floating through space on the cover.
And the cover is pretty tame compared to some of the horrific stuff you actually encounter in the game.
Suspended: A Cryogenic Nightmare
1983 | Infocom | PC
Yes, a text game can be terrifying.
Yellow and black eyes are positioned just behind mask.
This gives it the effect that the eyes are actually following you as you move around it.
Even if the game doesnt creep you out, just putting this box on your shelf will.
The bandaged face and creepy castle in the background ohelp drive home the horror.
Even the covers for those games are disappointing.
Its OK art, if maybe a little too abstract.
Gone is the surrealism of the PS2 box art.
In its place is a simple screaming portrait of a ghost in negative.
Its easily one of the scariest pieces of box art ever released.
The games box art is genuinely freaky, though.
Werewolves have been done to death.
There was no mistaking whatCastlevaniawas about from looking at its box art.
If that doesnt get you at least a little pumped to try out the game, then nothing will.
Chris Freiberg is a freelance contributor.
Read more of his workhere.
